Team USA can’t overcome penalties as Team Canada wins 2-1 at World Juniors

John Gibson was good stopping 30 of 32 shots. Malcolm Subban was better stopping 36 of 37 shots in a 2-1 Canada win over the undisciplined USA squad who stalled offensively. AGAIN!

Gibson gave up an early goal but found himself upstaged by Subban. I must say it is great to see new blood in the sport. Of course when I say new blood I am referring to an African-American. Would be great to continue to see more and more non whites getting involved in hockey. Only way to truly grow the game.

Jacob Trouba stayed hot this tournament by scoring the American’s only goal to cut the lead in half.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins opened the scoring with a well place wrister, stick side of Gibson. Another Ryan had the difference maker. Ryan Strome finished a nicely set up goal late first period to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead which would hold up. Team Canada squandered many late chances to put the game out of reach with several power plays including back to back 2 man advantages. The USA squad made horrible decisions late. After all the momentum in the world on their side they decided to take bad penalties. Penalty after penalty. Gibson gave them every chance to avoid such poor decisions and bad offense by thwarting consecutive 5 on 3 advantages for the boys north of the border.

Team USA will face Slovakia early Monday morning on the NHL network starting at 3:00 am MST.

At this point they need to just get out of this round and advance. Canada surges to the lead with 9 points while Russia the home team has 8 points. Scoring is 3 points for regulation win. 2 points for overtime win. 1 point for overtime loss. 0 points for regulation loss.

Scoring Summary